The Integrated Services Project (‘ISP’) is a partnership between FCVic and Social Security Rights Victoria (SSRV), to improve client outcomes through financial counsellors and social security lawyers working together. Our Worker Help Line service is open for your calls Monday to Friday on 03 9481 0655.
This month’s contribution from Social Security Rights Victoria (SSRV) is the first of a two-part series giving you an overview of New Zealand citizens’ entitlements to Centrelink. We get many enquiries from financial counsellors about their New Zealand citizen clients and their entitlements to Centrelink.
This month, we’ll look at New Zealanders’ entitlements to JobSeeker, family assistance, and Special Benefit payments. Stay tuned next month to find out about entitlements to Age Pension, Carers Payment, and Disability Support Payment.
Our example today will discuss Yasmin’s eligibility for income support payments. Yasmin is a New Zealander who has separated from her Australian partner due to family violence. Yasmin has lived in Australia for six years and has one child, Orla, who was born in Australia. Yasmin and Orla are currently living in a refuge.
When Did the Person Arrive in Australia?
Whether or not a New Zealander is eligible for Centrelink payments often depends on their residency status.
If a New Zealander arrived before 26 February 2001, they would have been granted a protected Special Category Visa (SCV). Protected SCV holders are Australian residents for Centrelink purposes.
Yasmin arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001, so she is on a non-protected Special Category Visa and has not yet applied for Australian citizenship. A non-protected Special Category Visa holder is not an Australian resident for Centrelink purposes, which significantly limits Yasmin’s access to income support payments.
JobSeeker and Youth Allowance
Yasmin has only lived in Australia for six years, so she is not eligible for any JobSeeker payment. If a non-protected SCV holder has been living in Australia continuously for at least ten years, they may qualify for a one-off six-month period of JobSeeker or Youth Allowance.
Family Payments
Non-protected SCV holders with children may be able to claim family assistance payments such as Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy, and a Low Income Health Care Card. As Yasmin has a child, she may be eligible for these payments.
Special Benefit Payment
Generally, non-protected SCV holders are not eligible for Special Benefit payments, as they are not classified as Australian residents. If, however, a non-protected SCV holder has experienced unexpected financial hardship due to circumstances outside of their control and has a child who is an Australian citizen, they may be able to access Special Benefit payment on behalf of their child. Special Benefit payment is usually the same amount as JobSeeker; however, it is reduced dollar for dollar for any income received.
Any change in a person’s circumstances can lead to a review of their entitlement to Special Benefit. If someone is receiving family assistance payments (such as Family Tax Benefit or Child Care Subsidy), these payments may impact their Special Benefit entitlement. While family assistance payments are not assessed as income, Special Benefit is a payment made at the discretion of Centrelink, and Centrelink may consider that the family assistance payments contribute to easing a person’s financial circumstances.
As Yasmin has a child who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, they are experiencing family violence and homelessness, and their financial hardship was due to circumstances outside of their control, Yasmin can make a Special Benefit application on behalf of Orla, providing evidence of their circumstances. If Yasmin is receiving Family Tax Benefit or Child Care Subsidy, this may affect her eligibility for Special Benefit.
Read along next month to find out about New Zealanders and Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carers Pension.
For more information about migrants and Centrelink, revisit Understanding Visas, Residency and Centrelink Access for Clients presented by SSRV and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, available in FCVic’s CPD library.
This article presents a summary and general overview of the topics covered and is not legal advice. The Integrated Services Project (ISP) is a partnership between FCVic and Social Security Rights Victoria (SSRV) to improve client outcomes through financial counsellors and social security lawyers working together.
Remember, if you need any information, SSRV is available on the ASSIST line for your Centrelink questions and queries. Call us on 1800 379 604 between 10:00am and 4:00pm or visit assisthelpline.org.au. Also, our website, Social Security Rights Victoria, has factsheets and self-help tools such as DSP Help.